Dodd from Dodd Wood (Old Sawmill)
A steep woodland climb from the Old Sawmill to a summit with a view over Bassenthwaite Lake, Derwentwater and across the Solway to Scotland.
- Distance
- 5.0 km
- 3.1 miles
- Ascent
- 382 m
- High point 500 m
- Time
- 1 hour 30 minutes
- Walking time, no stops
- Grade
- Moderate
- Circular
Take this walk with you
Google Maps does not know most fell paths, so use it to get to the start, then follow the GPX in an app like OS Maps, Komoot or AllTrails. To see the line in Google Maps, open Google My Maps, create a map, choose Import and pick the KML file. It then appears in the Google Maps app under Saved, Maps.
Weather on this walk
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Dodd is the wooded hill at the foot of Skiddaw, above the east shore of Bassenthwaite Lake. For most of the way up you are among the trees of Dodd Wood, then you break out onto an open summit with a view out of all proportion to its height: Derwentwater, Bassenthwaite Lake, the Solway coast and, on a clear day, the hills of Dumfries and Galloway.
Forestry England waymarks a summit trail from the car park by the Old Sawmill Tearoom. It is short but steep, and they grade it hard for a forest walk, though for fell walkers it is a gentle outing. Keep an eye out for red squirrels on the way.
It is a good choice for a short day, a wet morning or for families with older children used to hills.
The route
- 1
From the Old Sawmill
From the Dodd Wood car park, beside the Old Sawmill Tearoom, follow the green waymarkers of the Dodd Summit trail on the forest roads climbing into the wood.
- 2
Up through the forest
The trail climbs steadily on forest roads and paths, gaining height above Bassenthwaite Lake with occasional glimpses through the trees.
- 3
Long Doors
The route reaches the col of Long Doors, on the east side of the summit.
- 4
To the summit
Turn west for the short, steep final climb to the open summit of Dodd and its view over Bassenthwaite Lake and Derwentwater.
- 5
Back to the car park
Return downhill following the green waymarkers through the forest to the car park.
Questions people ask
How long is the Dodd summit walk?
Forestry England gives the Dodd Summit trail as about 4.5 km (3 miles), following the green waymarkers.
Where do you park for Dodd?
At the Forestry England car park at Dodd Wood on the A591, opposite Mirehouse, beside the Old Sawmill Tearoom. It is pay on exit.
Will I see red squirrels in Dodd Wood?
Forestry England says red squirrels live in the wood all year, so it is worth walking quietly and keeping your eyes open.
Where is Dodd?
Wikipedia places it about four kilometres north-west of Keswick, a wooded outlier of the Skiddaw range.
More walks nearby
Grisedale Pike and Hopegill Head from Braithwaite
Hard, 12.5 km, 855 m up, about 4 hours
Braithwaite's big fell: straight up the ridge to Grisedale Pike, along the rim of Hobcarton Crag to Hopegill Head, and back down Coledale past the old Force Crag Mine.
Latrigg from Keswick
Moderate, 4.9 km, 292 m up, about 1 hour 30 minutes
Keswick's own small fell: up Spooney Green Lane and the zigzags to a grassy top with one of the finest views of Derwentwater in the Lakes.
Skiddaw from the Latrigg car park (Gale Road)
Hard, 10.7 km, 755 m up, about 3 hours 30 minutes
The quickest honest way up Skiddaw: the old pony track from the top of Gale Road, up Jenkin Hill and along the stony summit ridge to the trig point.
Food, drink and beds near the start
Cottage in the Wood
Fine Dining, Braithwaite, £££
Jack and Beth Bond's Michelin-starred restaurant with rooms sits high in Whinlatter Forest above Braithwaite, looking out towards Skiddaw. The tasting menu leans on regenerative Cumbrian farms and the nearby coast.
The Pheasant Inn
Country Inn, Bassenthwaite, ££, dogs welcome
A historic coaching inn by Bassenthwaite Lake, given a careful 2021 renovation that kept its old Lakeland bar character. A favourite with walkers and their dogs.
The Royal Oak
Traditional, Braithwaite, £
Braithwaite's heart and soul, with Coledale Horseshoe views from the garden and Jennings ales on tap.
Armathwaite Hall Hotel & Spa
Fine Dining, Keswick, ££££, dogs welcome
A grand country house hotel set in 400 acres of deer park and woodland beside Bassenthwaite Lake, beneath Skiddaw. Expect 43 individually styled rooms and an award-winning spa.
The Keswick Country House Hotel
Country House Hotel, Keswick, ££
A grand Victorian hotel set in four acres of tended gardens beside Keswick's old railway station, two minutes' walk from the market town centre. Expect classic dining in the Lonsdale Restaurant and views out to the surrounding fells.
The Dog and Gun
Traditional, Keswick, £, dogs welcome
A proper Keswick town-centre local, run by Greene King, known for its homemade Hungarian goulash, well-kept ales and a warm welcome for dogs.